Thread: Pill/condoms vs. pill/spermicidal film/withdrawal

Some people are allergic to spermicide which eliminates those options. Diaphragms and caps use spermicide. If you end up with symptoms while using film or similar you'll want to be sure to ask a doctor/gynocologist about backup forms of birth control that don't have it.

I'd say pill and condom as many women make silly mistakes while on the pill and condoms can split, can't be too safe! And besides the withdrawl method is not only really uneffective but well..gross lol

Obviously a condom is the only thing to protect you from STD's but a few things to keep in mind as far as other forms of birth control, use them gradually. I was using encare insterts for a year with my ex before I got my tubal and things were fine. With my new boyfriend I couldn't because they cause a burning reaction. Just make sure you read the warning labels of everything you are considering before using them. The VCF film contains the same ingredient that causes the burning so we weren't able to use those either. I do have to say the inserts were much easier than the film. Imagine putting a listerine strip on you finger, wetting it, and tying to get it off. Now imagine you only have one finger to get it off. Trust me it's annoying.

I used the film for the first time last month and it was awful. Burning for a few days afterward. I gave it a second (and 3rd) chance and my body has adapted to it with no real side effects.
ashisbaby, if you fold it up it's much easier to insert.

Hmm, all good things to think about. We're doing the long distance thing right now so we have way too much time to think about what we are going to do the next time we are together...we're going on a road trip to Texas next week (it's been over a month since we've seen each other...). I think we're going to give spermicide a try first.

So I found this website that lists the effectiveness of combining birth control methods. I know I can't post the link on here but if anyone wants it just pm me. They list every possible combination. We are not worried about a 0.04% decrease in effectiveness between combinations, so we are going to try without a condom or spermicide and use withdrawal. Tomorrow night cannot come soon enough!!

Combination Oral Contraceptives ("The Pill")
99.7% effective alone with perfect use - 92% effective alone with typical use
Combination OCP + Cervical Barriers = 99.98% effective with perfect use - 98.88% effective with typical use
Combination OCP + Male Condoms = 99.99% effective with perfect use - 98.8% effective with typical use
Combination OCP + The Sponge = 99.97%effective with perfect use - 98.72% effective with typical use
Combination OCP + Female Condoms = 99.98% effective with perfect use - 98.32% effective with typical use
Combination OCP + Emergency Contraception* = 99.97% effective with perfect use - 98% effective with typical use
Combination OCP + Withdrawal = 99.98% effective with perfect use - 97.84% effective
Combination OCP + Spermicide = 99.94% effective with perfect use - 97.68% effective with typical use

Heck, or even forget about withdrawal. I guess we'll see how it goes. NOW I understand why you girls have been saying you don't need to use a backup method if you take it perfectly...which I do.